The Leadership Contrarian

In this episode of The Leadership Contrarian, Michael explores a hard truth many leaders overlook: most managing problems are actually hiring problems in disguise. Discover why hiring the right people starts long before the interview, how unclear roles lead to micromanagement, and the hiring principles that help build a loyal, high-performing team. If you want to spend less time managing and more...

In this episode, Michael shares a hard lesson from the early years of Half a Bubble Out, when a hire who looked right on paper created years of cultural friction that affected far more people than anyone realized. That experience revealed a powerful leadership principle: hire, train, and fire to your Core Values. If you're building a team, growing a company, or trying to protect the culture you've...

In Episode 007 of The Leadership Contrarian , Michael Redman, CEO of Half a Bubble Out, shares a deeply personal story that reveals what leadership really looks like when life doesn't go according to plan. When a sudden health crisis hits his family, everything accelerates—decisions, emotions, responsibilities—and the reality becomes clear: leadership isn't just about performance in stable moments...

In episode 006 of The Leadership Contrarian, Michael Redman, CEO of Half a Bubble Out, explores why leadership formation doesn't stop at the office door—and why the pressure leaders face at work often reveals what's been formed (or unformed) at home. Michael offers an encouraging and deeply practical message: four simple, proven relational disciplines practiced in marriage and family life that qui...

In episode 005 of The Leadership Contrarian , Michael Redman explores how our cultural picture of leadership has evolved—from the lone hero archetype to the kind of leadership required in today's organizations. Classic movie heroes like John Wayne taught us that leadership meant strength, certainty, and independence. But stories like Star Wars revealed a different kind of leadership—one where very...

In Episode 004, Michael explains why he chose to call this newsletter The Leadership Contrarian, and why the name points to something much deeper than branding. Michael names a growing reality facing leaders today: the Formation Gap. It's the widening divide between the weight leaders are being asked to carry and the formation they've actually received to carry it well. As the world grows more vol...

In Episode #003 of The Leadership Contrarian, Michael Redman, CEO of Half a Bubble Out, explains why leadership can't be reduced to performance, personality, or hustle—and why sustainable leadership requires something deeper, more human, and more integrated. This conversation introduces the five core elements of Creative Leadership —not as tactics, but as parts of an internal operating system that...

In Episode 002 of the The Leadership Contrarian, Michael Redman, CEO of Half a Bubble Out (HaBO), explores why leadership feels harder right now—and why that's not your imagination. We're living in a VUCA world : Volatility. Uncertainty. Complexity. Ambiguity. Drawing from a formative experience in 1980 and more than 20 years of working with leaders, Michael unpacks: What VUCA really means (and wh...

Welcome to Episode #001 of The Leadership Contrarian — a new weekly series from Michael Redman, CEO of Half a Bubble Out. In this first episode, Michael shares why this message feels overdue—and why leaders were never meant to live or lead divided lives. After more than 20 years working with business owners and leadership teams, one truth has become clear: A healthy business starts with a holistic...

Michael and Kathryn define the term holistic in a business context and share examples of how holistic thinking can improve your company's growth. If you often find yourself working 'in the weeds' of your business, and want a new perspective, then this episode is for you!

Michael and Kathryn discuss the tactical things you need to consider if you're starting a new initiative in your company.  Find out what questions you should be asking yourself and how to set and work toward your short and long term goals. If you've got a new initiative on the horizon, be sure to give this episode a listen.

Michael and Kathryn outline proven ways you can invest in your team so ultimately, they become more productive. Discover how to strategically leverage the power of courses, trainings, book clubs and even personal development coaches. A great listen for all business owners, leaders and managers, looking for fresh employee development ideas with long term impact.

Michael and Kathryn discuss how to motivate your team the right way. Spoiler alert! You won't need to anger them or become a taskmaster to do it. If you've struggled to increase employee productivity while maintaining a healthy company culture, then give this episode a listen.

Michael and Kathryn outline the 7 levels of business growth so you can take your company from its early beginnings all the way to the point where you can sell it. If you feel stuck in the direction or growth of your business, give this episode a listen.

Michael and Kathryn discuss the story behind writing their bestselling book, Fulfilled: The Passion & Provision Strategy for Building a Business with Profit, Purpose & Legacy and their current goal of getting over 100 reviews on Amazon. Curious about the true meaning of Passion and Provision and what they have to do with Amazon reviews? Then give this episode a listen.

Michael and Kathryn share their definition of 'Authenticity' and how this fuzzy term is often hijacked in business today. You'll also discover the different stages of psychological maturity that business leaders need to evolve through in this fun, 'food for thought' style episode!

Michael and Kathryn share 3 tips for company productivity. It can be hard for business owners to learn to delegate as well as truly assess if their employees are in the best roles for their skills and talents. Help your employees thrive and become better independent problem-solvers by giving this episode a listen.

Michael and Kathryn interview Robert and Kay Lee Fukui, marriage and business coaches and authors, about their new book Tandem: The Married Entrepreneurs' Guide For Greater Work-Life Balance and how their business came to be. If you run a business with your spouse and looking for some ideas on how you can better your work-life balance, then give this episode a listen.

Michael and Kathryn discuss the origins of the post-trust era and the 6 myths about trust that businesses need to overcome in order to survive and thrive. If you're struggling to grow your business and build positive company culture, then this episode is for you.

Michael and Kathryn discuss the importance of training. Whether it's your own professional training or training the employees in your company- there's going to be an exponential return on your investment. If you feel like a 'generalist' as opposed a master in a specific skill or trade, then give this episode a listen.

Michael and Kathryn break down the market research results that uncovered the top 5 core values of their ideal customers. If you've ever wondered how your personal values and the values of your customers fit into your marketing, hiring, or long-term business strategy, then this episode is for you.

Michael and Kathryn interview Omar Zenhom, podcast host and business coach, about his entrepreneurial journey and the lasting impact of his $100 MBA show.  If you need some encouragement today about how you can leverage your unique value, make an impact, and leave a legacy with your business, then give this episode a listen.

Michael and Kathryn talk with author David Allison about the importance of valuegraphics in business and marketing. If you can speak into the hearts of your customers by knowing their shared values, wouldn't you want to? Find out the power of value-based market research by giving this episode a listen.

How well can you predict the future? Michael and Kathryn discuss how to measure your decision-making and strategic thinking capacity. Whether you need to hire people who are a right fit for your company, or want to improve the efficiency of your current team, give this episode a listen.

Michael and Kathryn outline the 5 areas that guarantee strong and effective leadership: Relating, Self-awareness, Systems-awareness, Achieving, and Authenticity. If you are curious about how your leadership skills rate when it comes to fostering a healthy and growing company culture, then give this episode a listen.